Paris has been setting trends in art, fashion, and food for centuries—from the royal courts and revolutionary fervor to Impressionist cafés and contemporary culinary creativity. Today, its grand boulevards and hidden passages still reward the curious: step into a museum, then detour down a side street for a perfect croissant or a natural wine bar buzzing with locals.

Iconic landmarks anchor the skyline—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre‑Dame—yet the city’s soul is found at café terraces, neighborhood markets, and along the Seine at golden hour. With efficient public transit and walkable historic quarters, Paris is tailor-made for a short, culture-packed escape.

Practical notes: reserve the Eiffel Tower and major museums in advance, and remember many museums (including the Louvre) close on Tuesdays. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, use contactless payment on the Metro, and lean into the local rhythm—espresso standing at the bar, dinner after 7:30 pm, and long strolls between sights.

Paris

Paris is a tapestry of distinct neighborhoods: elegant Saint‑Germain, edgy Canal Saint‑Martin, village-like Montmartre, and regal Right Bank axes from the Tuileries to the Opéra. Top sights include the Louvre’s vast treasures, the stained-glass wonder of Sainte‑Chapelle, and the reopened interior of Notre‑Dame, alongside modern draws like contemporary galleries in Le Marais.

Food is half the adventure. Mornings begin at a boulangerie (try pistachio escargot pastries at Du Pain et des Idées), lunches at classic “bouillons,” and evenings at inventive bistros or a river cruise gliding past illuminated bridges. Coffee culture thrives too—seek out roasters like KB and Télescope between museum visits.

Fun fact: the “City of Light” originally referenced the Enlightenment era, but it also fits the way Paris glows at dusk—best admired from the Pont Neuf or the Trocadéro after sunset.

Where to stay (curated picks + deals):

• Browse citywide deals: Hotels.com — Paris | VRBO — Paris Apartments
• Luxury icons near top sights: The Ritz Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Le Meurice, The Peninsula Paris
• Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish hideaway with a leafy courtyard), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (cozy, artful rooms near Sacré‑Cœur), Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value near the Panthéon), Hôtel du Temps (retro-chic by the 9th)
• Good-value and family-friendly: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (easy transport, larger rooms), Generator Paris (design-led hostel with private options), Hôtel du Champ de Mars (classic charm near the Eiffel Tower)

Getting to Paris and around:

• Flights to Paris: From within Europe, compare with Omio (Flights). From the Americas, Asia, or elsewhere, check Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: London 1h15, Rome 2h10, NYC ~7–8h, Dubai ~7h.
• Trains in Europe: Eurostar/TGV are fast and scenic—London to Paris in ~2h15, Brussels ~1h22, Amsterdam ~3h20. Search and book with Omio (Trains). Expect €60–€200 depending on date/time.
• Airport to city: CDG to central Paris takes 35–45 minutes on RER B (~€12). Taxis have flat rates (~€56 Right Bank/€65 Left Bank). Contactless tap works on Metro and buses; a single ride is roughly €2.15–€2.30.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel to Paris. If you’re coming from another European city, the train is often fastest—book via Omio (Trains). Long-haul flyers can compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive by early afternoon to make the most of daylight.

Afternoon: Check in, drop bags, and set off for Île de la Cité. Step inside the reborn cathedral on the Inside Notre‑Dame Tour with a Licensed Guide.

Your guide brings medieval masonry, flying buttresses, and restoration details to life. Afterwards, visit the Conciergerie’s austere halls and admire Sainte‑Chapelle’s kaleidoscopic glass.

Evening: Toast your first night as Paris glides by on the Capitaine Fracasse 3‑Course Seine River Dinner Cruise.

Expect illuminated bridges, the Louvre’s riverfront, and the Eiffel Tower’s sparkle every hour on the hour. Prefer land-based dining? Try classic rotisserie chicken and frites at La Rotonde (Montparnasse) or oysters and small plates at Clamato (11th—arrive early for walk-ins).

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Le Marais, and Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Start with coffee and a flaky croissant at Du Pain et des Idées (try the praline “escargot”), or head to Holybelly 5 for a hearty brunch with excellent filter coffee. Then meet your guide for the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access.

You’ll navigate straight to icons like the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo—with context that makes the collections memorable. Tip: the Louvre is closed Tuesdays.

Afternoon: Wander Le Marais: arcades at Place des Vosges, indie boutiques on Rue des Francs‑Bourgeois, and contemporary art at the Musée Picasso. For lunch, choose a buckwheat galette and cider at Breizh Café, or go street‑food famous with a crispy falafel sandwich at L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers. Coffee pick‑me‑up at Télescope or Boot Café near the Musée Carnavalet.

Evening: Time your visit to the “Iron Lady” for golden hour with Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift.

Summit tickets sell out—book early. Afterward, cross to the Trocadéro for the best panoramic photos. Dinner nearby: La Fontaine de Mars (old‑school bistro classics), Les Cocottes (modern comfort dishes in cast‑iron cocottes), or splurge at Le Jules Verne inside the tower. Nightcap: Harry’s New York Bar (a century of cocktail lore) or rooftop views at Le Perchoir (Marais) on select nights.

Day 3: Montmartre Morning, Left Bank Stroll, and Departure

Morning: Ride the funicular or climb the steps to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views. Explore Montmartre’s village lanes—Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Place du Tertre’s artists—then grab pastries at Pain Pain or breakfast at Café Marlette. For coffee nerds, KB Coffee Roasters in South Pigalle pulls excellent espresso.

Afternoon: Fit in one last museum: the Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionists are perfect for a short visit (Monet, Degas, Renoir in a grand former station). Lunch before you go: Bouillon Pigalle (fast-moving line, great value steak‑frites and île flottante), Le Servan (Franco‑Asian plates and smart wine list in the 11th), or Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk-in only small plates near Sentier). Retrieve luggage and transfer to your train or flight via RER B, taxi flat-rate, or rideshare.

Evening: Departure day typically has an afternoon exit; if you have extra time, stroll Saint‑Germain’s elegant streets, browse at Shakespeare and Company, or enjoy one last chocolat chaud at Carette on Place des Vosges. Promise yourself you’ll return for a day trip to Champagne or Giverny in spring.

Extra local gems (if you find a spare hour):

• Covered passages (Passage Verdeau, Passage Jouffroy) for Belle Époque charm and vintage bookshops.
• Canal Saint‑Martin at sunset—pick up cheese from Fromagerie Beaufils and a baguette for a casual apéro on the water’s edge.
• Jazz at Duc des Lombards near Châtelet—tiny, atmospheric, and consistently great lineups.

Booking recap (Viator activities used in this plan):

• Day 1: Inside Notre‑Dame Tour with a Licensed Guide
• Day 1: Capitaine Fracasse 3‑Course Seine River Dinner Cruise
• Day 2: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access
• Day 2: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access (Top or 2nd Floor)

In three days you’ll trace Paris from Gothic splendor to Impressionist light, culminating in a glittering Eiffel Tower finale. With smart reservations, delicious stops, and compact sightseeing loops, you’ll leave full of art, pastries, and plans for your next Paris chapter.